“The month most beloved to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, for fasting was Shaʿbān, and he would then join it to Ramaḍān.”
Narrated by Aḥmad (no. 25548), Abū Dāwūd (no. 2431) with the wording being is, and al-Nasāʾī (no. 2350), from the ḥadīth of ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her).
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ (no. 4628) and Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd (no. 2101).
Brief Explanation of the Hadith
This ḥadīth indicates that Allah, Exalted is He, has given preference to some months over others. Among them is the special care the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) gave to the month of Shaʿbān, as he used to observe abundant fasting in it, as reported by ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her). This is further supported by the ḥadīth of Usāmah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: “I said: O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any month as much as you fast in Shaʿbān. He said: ‘That is a month people neglect between Rajab and Ramaḍān. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting.’”
This indicates that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast abundantly in Shaʿbān and persist in doing so. As for absolute superiority with regard to voluntary fasting in itself, fasting in the month of Muḥarram is more virtuous, based on the saying of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): “The best fasting after Ramaḍān is fasting in Muḥarram.”
As for her statement, “then he would join it to Ramaḍān,” its apparent meaning is that he fasted all of Shaʿbān. However, it is understood as fasting most of it, in light of her other established statement—may Allah be pleased with her—when she said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) complete the fasting of an entire month except Ramaḍān, and I never saw him fast more in any month than he did in Shaʿbān.”
There is no contradiction between this and what has been reported regarding the prohibition of preceding Ramaḍān by fasting one or two days, nor with what has been narrated concerning the prohibition of fasting during the second half of Shaʿbān. This prohibition applies to one who does not have an established habit of fasting. As for one who regularly fasts, or whose fasting is continuous from what precedes it, he is not included in the prohibition.
The ḥadīth indicates the virtue and special status of the month of Shaʿbān, and the Prophet’s love for it—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—as well as encouragement to increase voluntary fasting therein. It also highlights the Prophet’s diligence in worship—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—and demonstrates the merit of the Mother of the Believers, ʿĀʾishah—may Allah be pleased with her—her vast knowledge, and her eagerness to convey his guidance—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—to the Ummah.